Imagine harvesting eight tonnes of rice from just one hectare of land – that is eight times more than what traditional farming methods used to produce.
This is not a distant dream but a reality already happening in Gedong, Sarawak.
The secret? A powerful combination of modern machinery, improved irrigation, and advanced seed varieties.
This agricultural transformation is at the heart of the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026, a groundbreaking law passed in May 2026 that aims to turn Sarawak into a food security powerhouse.
Growing Appetite and Declining Production
Sarawak currently produces only about 51,000 metric tonnes of paddy annually, achieving a self-sufficiency level of just 21 percent.
This means the state has to import 79 percent of its rice.
The situation is becoming more urgent – production is projected to decline further to 48,700 metric tonnes in 2025, potentially dropping the self-sufficiency level to 20 percent.
Between January and October 2025 alone, Sarawak had to import 173,000 metric tonnes of rice worth RM460 million.
YB Datuk Lo Khere Chiang, the Member for Batu Kitang, emphasised that modern paddy cultivation requires digitalisation to produce better quality yields.
He noted that we are now talking about volume and productivity, which requires machines and digital monitoring to better take care of the plants.
The Honourable Member for Tellian, YB Royston Valentine, observed that the agriculture sector can no longer rely solely on traditional methods.
He stressed that the world is moving towards smart agriculture and precision farming using Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, drones, automation, and data analytics.
Technology That Is Changing the Game
The transformation is already visible on the ground.
At AgriHub@Gedong in Kampung Lubok Punggor, modern technologies such as multispectral drones, automatic irrigation systems, transplanters, and combine harvesters have increased paddy productivity from an average of 1 to 2 tonnes to 5 to 6 tonnes per hectare.
This project, led by Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak, serves as a living laboratory where research and innovation are translated directly into practical solutions.
Premier Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Premier of Sarawak, shared the success of an experiment in Gedong that used new seed varieties on just 5 hectares of land.
With clean water, advanced machinery, and the right treatments, yields increased from one tonne to eight tonnes per hectare.
Even more remarkably, rice can now be harvested five times in just 24 months.
Over two years, five harvests can produce 40 tonnes from a single hectare – meaning a substantial rise in income for farming communities.
YB Dr Simon Sinang, the Member for Tebedu, noted that to achieve the 60 percent self-sufficiency target by 2030, Sarawak needs to produce about 240,000 to 500,000 metric tonnes per year.
This requires developing 14,000 to 15,000 hectares of new and upgraded granaries.
The state has already identified approximately 15,000 hectares for commercial paddy cultivation under the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer public-private partnership model.
Innovation From Seed to Harvest
Research is playing a crucial role in this transformation.
The Ministry is collaborating with the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and UiTM at Stumbin in Sri Aman.
New rice lines developed through this research have recorded a 30 percent higher yield compared to the control variety MR297.
Several new rice varieties, including hybrid and perennial paddy, have been introduced for evaluation trials and potential commercial planting.
YB Royston Valentine proposed that the Board establish a dedicated research institution to drive innovation.
This centre of excellence could focus on paddy seed development, mechanisation, smart farming, and human capital development.
He emphasised that if Sarawak wants to become a leader in the future food industry, investment in research and innovation must begin now.
Building the Future
The new Sarawak Padi and Rice Board will serve as the central authority to coordinate, regulate, and oversee the development of the paddy and rice industry.
It will provide farmers with financial assistance, incentive schemes to reduce costs, and introduce modern agricultural machinery and methods.
The Board will also facilitate access to modern farming technology, coordinate training programmes, and improve irrigation and drainage systems.
YB Datuk Lo Khere Chiang highlighted that modern paddy development now requires integrated irrigation systems, research and seed development, stockpile management, and logistics coordination.
He noted that when the complexity of a sector increases, institutional capacity must also evolve.
To strengthen capacity, the state government is working with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority to provide technical training.
Starting January 2026, 25 Sarawakian students will undergo a fully sponsored two-year training at the MADA Rice Training Centre in Kedah.
Sarawak is on an exciting journey to become one of Malaysia’s biggest rice producers within the next five years.
With the right technology, seeds, and determination, the state aims not only to meet its own needs but also to strengthen national food security.
As the Premier said, we know our climate, we have the land, and with the right technology and seeds, we can produce enough not just for Sarawak, but for Malaysia.
References
Borneo Post. (2025, August 13). Premier: Sarawak to be a top Malaysian rice producer within 5 years, will help strengthen food security. https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/08/13/premier-sarawak-to-be-a-top-malaysian-rice-producer-within-5-years-will-help-strengthen-food-security/
Borneo Post. (2026, May 12). Batu Kitang rep: Proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026 meant for crop’s further development. https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/05/12/batu-kitang-rep-proposed-sarawak-padi-and-rice-board-bill-2026-meant-for-crops-further-development/
Borneo Post. (2026, May 12). Tellian rep suggests proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board establish dedicated research institution. https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/05/12/tellian-rep-suggests-proposed-sarawak-padi-and-rice-board-establish-dedicated-research-institution/
Sarawak Tribune. (2025, December 2). State identifies 15,000 hectares for commercial paddy cultivation. https://www.sarawaktribune.com/state-identifies-15000-hectares-for-commercial-paddy-cultivation/
Universiti Putra Malaysia. (2025, October 30). AgriHub@Gedong perkukuh inovasi pertanian pintar di Sarawak. https://upm.edu.my/berita/agrihub_gedong_perkukuh_inovasi_pertanian_pintar_di_sarawak-89646
United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service. (2025, April 23). Malaysia: Grain and feed annual (Report No. MY2025-0006). https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Grain%20and%20Feed%20Annual_Kuala%20Lumpur_Malaysia_MY2025-0006.pdf
